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There are six major symptoms of Korsakoff's syndrome: anterograde and retrogradeamnesia, or severe memory loss; confabulation, that is, invented memories which are then taken as true due to gaps in memory sometimes associated with blackouts; meager content in conversation; lack of insight, and apathy (the patients lose interest in things quickly and generally appear indifferent to change).

Treatment involves replacing the thiamine by Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection, and providing proper nutrition and hydration. However, the amnesia and brain damage caused by the disease does not respond to thiamine replacement therapy. In some cases, drug therapy is recommended to the patient. If treatment is successful, signs will show within two years though recovery is slow and often incomplete.